Gambia 2016: Jammeh Reacts To Election Defeat

(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh has thanked Gambians for the support they have rendered to him and his government for the past 22 years.

Addressing the nation from his office in State House in the presence of his cabinet ministers on Friday evening after the final election results were announced, Mr Jammeh said: “I have always made it very clear that I will never rule this country without your mandate since we started elections and I will never cheat or dispute the election because this is the most transparent and rigged-proof elections in the whole world.

“Our system is unique and we have decided to go to the polls for you the Gambian people to decide who you want to lead you. You have spoken.

“Remember that I have always told you that even if my opponent leads by one vote I would accept the results. Our system of government is winner takes all be it one vote, two votes or three votes, he has a majority.

“We have 868,000 Gambians registered to vote in this election. Out of this, 525,000 Gambians voted leaving 362,000 thousand who have never showed up. Whatever are the reasons for this three hundred plus thousand that have decided not to vote, that is immaterial for me. I do not wish to contest to find out why they didn’t vote. It is between them and God. What I am concerned about while I am here, is those who have decided to vote.

“18,978 more votes than I were cast for my opponent, the opposition coalition leader. I hereby take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Adama Barrow for his victory. It is a clear victory because our system declared a simple majority. I wish him all the best and I wish all Gambians the best.

“As a true Muslim who believes in the Almighty Allah, I will never question Allah’s decision today or any other time. I came to power on Friday 22 July 1994 . Today is Friday 2nd December 2016 and you Gambians have decided that I should take the back seat. You have voted for somebody to lead our country, this is our country and I wish you all the best.”

3 thoughts on “Gambia 2016: Jammeh Reacts To Election Defeat”

Wow, what a class act. It seems the whole time Gambia had a leader that truly loved the people and the country. I don’t know much of Gambia’s history, but I hope they treat there 22 year servant with honor and move on to making GAMBIA GREAT.

I had been to The Gambia. I was there in 2014 and the first thing that struck me at the airport was a big billboard describing Yahya Jammeh as President, Professor, Sheikh, Dr, General Jammeh.
Although, I spent about four days, I also saw a billboard on the road to Banjul from Serekunda describing him as Mambila Mansa. For 22 years, just like all African despots, Jammeh held his country by the jugular. The impoverished state was continuously raped by a thoughtless and vicious leadership.
Jammeh had all the opportunities to take the right course but he decided to turn himself into a tin god reveling in his own ignorance and foolishness. However, Barrow should not be taken in by this unexpected throwing in of the towel by Jammeh. There might still be booby-traps along the way , so he is advised to be wise and cautious.
For instance, nobody is talking yet about transition of power and the armed forces still remain in the stranglehold of Jammeh and his henchmen.

HELLO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN AND OUT OF THE GAMBIA.
ALLAH SUBUHANATALAH HAS ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.
ALHAMDULILAH ALHAMDULILAH .
I ONCE SAID THAT . WE WILL ONE DAY DEFEAT YANKI JAMMEH AND HIS RUNNING DOGS.
AM THANKING ALL OF YOU MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU ALL.
THANK YOU.